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Auto Theft Prevention/2009 F-250 Security

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Expert: - 5/13/2010


Question
1) I understand that starting in 2008, Ford has a chip in the ignition key for F-250s and F-350s. Can these trucks still be stolen without a key?
2) I have heard that tailgates are a popular and expensive theft item as well - does keeping the tailgate locked provide adequate security?
3) I was advised to put a cable lock on my spare to prevent theft - this apparently is another popular item to steal. My King Ranch model came with wheel locks for the other four wheels.
4) Other than breaking in and stealing stuff out of the truck, are there any other areas I am overlooking regarding 2009 F-250 security?

Answer
Hello,

I hope that Securilock doesn't give you a false sense of security. I have defeated the "Unstealable" Ford Securilock with one wire!!! Shared my process with others in my field, they made their own videos and the consensus was that the process worked every time. Ford uses a magnesium alloy steering column which is very brittle. A screwdriver placed between the lock cylinder and the housing with a good hard blow with a hammer will drop the ignition lock out.

I guess on the positive side, they finally did something. The F-250s and F-350s are very hot in Dallas and there was no protection till 2008. You invest $50K in a truck and it could be history in seconds.

Here is the problem with the factory security besides being proprietary which means you are stuck going to a dealer to fix it, is its generality. I had a court case in which Ford was bragging how secure the securilock was. I did what any thief would do. I studied an electrical schematic for an Explorer. I came up with a theory. I applied the theory and the bypass worked. Not only did it work on Explorers but all Ford trucks and SUVs.

The point I am getting at that anything made at the factory is already obsolete before it gets sold new.

In another example and I could go on and on--BMW. It is said keys can be obtained only from the dealer. BMW will tell you that, but the truth of the matter is you can in fact obtain keys from the web as well as programmers and the price just gets cheaper and cheaper.

Now, there is a goof out there that holds himself out to insurance companies and law enforcement as an expert on vehicle theft. He will make the comment that a thief would not go out and buy a $6,000 programming machine to make keys to steal a car. First, he would need to know about that specific thief as to his motives and experience. What this goof does not state (even though he should) if one were to go out and buy the BMW, Land Rover, GM etc. programming machine, you could make keys (they do not have to be cut) for any BMW, Land Rover, GM etc. Then that $6,000 investment is looking like peanuts and that assumes the thief buys one of these machines and doesn't steal it!

I may be cynical from being involved in the direct repair of well more than 10,000 theft recoveries and I have learned to think like a professional thief. Not a locksmith or some other yahoo who has no hands on experience with any of this stuff.

Its like radar detectors, then radar detector detectors and so on.

Look at electronics commonly obsolete in months!

12 years ago when the Ford Securilock was employed, the engineers in my opinion watching too much TV. They designed the system to prevent hot wiring (yet that is what I did under the hood). Either that or the thieves they consulted were not very good! American cars had not been hotwired under the dash since 1969!

Yes these trucks can be stolen without your key!!!

Look at your plastic outside door handle. Does that make you feel secure? 10 seconds with a screwdriver, the thief is in!!!

You will NEVER stop theft. All you can do is buy time. I recommend installing a HIDDEN starter disable switch. Do Not-play with the fuel pump because you could create a liability situation.

You did not say where you are located. I have a pager that alerts me when someone is breaking in. If it happens at night in my driveway, the sunset law in Texas will assist me in stopping the thief.

Don't count on anyone to pay attention if your alarm goes off. No one cares any more!

As for your tail gate lock, its better than nothing, but again you are dealing with plastic and goes back to the saying "locks are only meant for honest people."

The locking lug nuts are good, at least that will cost them time.

Bottom line--You could spend thousands attempting to secure the truck and these measures may not work.

We can no longer rely on cops with budget cuts all over the place. Property crimes take about as much priority as loud music calls.

In reality, crime is getting worse especially theft of vehicles and from vehicles.

Tulsa still has 84 officers they have not called back. Illinois State Patrol is cutting back. In California just this year 6,500 prisoners (some really bad dudes) will be released and will be on parole except they will have no parole officer to check on them.

One situation that you now have is that if the vehicle is stolen, the theft claim most likely be honored because you have the so-called anti-theft system on the truck. The manufacturer will never guaranty the truck can't be stolen, but the insurance companies that don't build vehicles with their independent locksmith experts will say no matter what "The vehicle was last operated with a key of the proper type", inferring the insured. The insurance company kind of forgets to tell you this when you get your policy. They will give you a discount for an anti-theft system, but they don't tell you that they won't pay on a theft claim in which the vehicle is stolen. This is how they make money by not honoring claims.


To recap--Have a paging alarm installed where you are notified of a break in. I would recommend an impact sensor for the passenger compartment. This should notify you if they break the glass or if the outer door lock is punched. The paging unit is wired into the dome light, so if they use a tool like a slim jim (unlocks mechanical linkage in door, even if door is opened, you are notified.

You could wire in a pin switch to protect the lift gate as well.

Install a hidden starter kill switch. You can toggle off while running, but the next time you go to start it, you will have to toggle again.

Other than that, I would not waste the money. There are many products out there that prey on the insecurity of vehicle owners. Most do not work or if they do, they have to be installed and removed each time you park. Its always from a victim "I just left the car for a few minutes".


There are good digital cellular trackers on the market as well. Personally, I don't care for Lojack for many reasons and any after market add-on you are getting from the dealer in my opinion is a rip off!

I apologize if this is so long, but I wanted you to understand the issues with auto theft.

I hope my information assisted you.

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Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI

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My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.

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ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....

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